Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-27

doubtless to our discredit, but it is never
theless true, that we do not appreciate our
truly great men until their DameS have
been echoed TO us from across the sea
Things we value least in this great coIn-
try of ours, are most thought of on the
other side of the herring pond. We are
nothing if not practical, and we put the
discovered truth to some practical use,
though we are apt 20 forget its protector
J in thinking Of tha results. But We are on
the right road after all. The Characteristic
American question SIS there any money
in it," touches the keynote OF the cause
Of our wonderful progress. great rule
discovered is much in itself, but the re-
suits Of it are greater.
Spencer 7. Baird is one OF he men who
have made the name OF the republic IN
the scientific circles OF the ola world, out
ne has, perhaps, done greater work In
his own country in popCiariZiUg science.
His lame and his works are known in
every scientific society the world over.
He is O native Of Pennsylvania, and claims
the beautiful little city OF Carlisle, that
slumbers so peacefully in the matchless
| Cumberland valley, as his home. In 1916
he graduated from Dickinson college,
as did also mis- elder brother Viii
liam. The two boys Inherited
from their father a love of nature
and Out-of.door pursuits, and as early as
| 1926, they had made collection Of the
game birds of Cumberland country. In
J the museum some of these specimens
mounted forty years ago are still pre-
served. TIE inheritance of love Of
nature and 2 taste for the study Of natural
history was encouraged by the mother,
and for the five years succeeding his
graduation the young naturalist was left
10 his own divices and plans, instead of
| being pGshed at once into z profession.
When but eighteen years of age he made
pedestrian excursion through the
mountains Of Pennsylvania, walking 400
miles il twenty-one days, making the last
day Sky miles between daylight
and rest. He has al his life been
! great walker, and in all his expeditions
ne has never ridden horse. Until lew
years ago, every summer found him
among the trees, or at the sea shore, or
on the rivers and creeks. For forty years
be has been tireless collector OF natural
history specimens, and he turns 1t all
over to the institute. Ole Of his rules is
! that no officer or employe of the institu-
ton shall make private collection. For
q short time he was professor of natural
sciences a. Dickinson College and here he
taught the seniors in physiology, the
Sopnomores geometry and the freshmen
in geology. He found time, however, to
carry on the work begun in previous
years and during the vacation he made
extended tours. One year he walked
over 2200 miles. On leaving home he
came to Washington to live, and since
1850, or nearly thirty seven years, he mas
been connected with the Smithsonian H.
stitute For the last nine years, or since
the death OF Professor Henry in 1873, he
has had entire executive control OF toe
wonderful establishment. He has seen
il grow from few small boxes Of speci-
mems, 20 its present splendid proportions,
and in its building up he has had always
a prominent part.
But we must 90 down to the Professors
workshop. You will find it in the base
ment, and truly it is busy place. There
is pot much furniture in the room, but
it is all in use by the busy occupant.
Here are q couple Of clerks and 8
stenographer, and scattered round about,
yet in the most perfect order, are books
and maps and drawings and castings
and models OF every description. The
Professor is great worker end he
utiliZeS every moment of the day. He
arises at Z, and by s O'Clock he has had mis-
breakfast and is At his desk. For five hours